Arrest Over Disappearance Of Newcastle Man

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder over the disappearance of Michael Straughan from Newcastle more than 20 years ago.

Straughan was 38 years old when he was reported missing on June 20, 1992.

The day before he went missing, Mr Straughan was at the Farmers' Rest Pub in Haymarket, Newcastle sometime between 7pm and 7.30pm on a busy Friday night and then between 8.30pm and 8.45pm he was seen outside the Percy Arms Pub where he was due to meet an associate.

Mr Straughan failed to return home that night, which was described as completely out of character, and he was reported missing the following day.

There were numerous enquiries at the time, but there were no further sightings of Mr Straughan.

Police made the arrests after searching farmland near Sparty Lea in Tynedale looking for evidence in connection with another missing person - Hexham woman Janet Brown.

They say there's no obvious link between the two cases though

A 59-year-old Tynedale man and a 44-year-old Newcastle man are being held on suspicion of murder.

DCI Nicola Musgrove, who is leading the investigation, said: "Further information has come to light which has lead to the arrest of two men on suspicion of murder.

As this is a live enquiry we are unable to go into more details but at this stage there is no obvious link between Michael Straughan and Janet Brown.

While we appreciate Mr Straughan's disappearance was more than 20 years ago, we would ask that anyone who has information about him or knew him to get in touch.

Our enquiries into the whereabouts of Janet Brown continue and searches of land are progressing well."

Anyone with information about Janet Brown or Michael Straughan should contact Northumbria Police on 101 ext 69191 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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